Israeli PM Netanyahu Fires Defense Minister in Shocking Shake Up

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent shockwaves through the Israeli political world on Tuesday when he announced the unexpected firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Gallant, who has served in the role since 2022, is a member of Netanyahu's ruling Likud Party.

"Unfortunately, although in the first months of the war there was trust and there was very fruitful work, during the last months this trust cracked between me and the Defense Minister," Netanyahu said in a statement, adding: "I made many attempts to bridge these gaps, but they kept getting wider."

The surprise move to sack Gallant -- who has been hawkish on Israel's war with Hezbollah but has also recently urged a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza -- comes as elections are held in the United States, Israel's top military backer.

Netanyahu and Gallant have frequently clashed over Israel's retaliatory military offensive against Hamas following the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

The outgoing minister will be replaced by current Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who himself will be replaced by center-right Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

The surprise move to sack Gallant -- who has been hawkish on Israel's war with Hezbollah but has also recently urged a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza -- comes as elections are held in the United States, Israel's top military backer.

Netanyahu and Gallant have frequently clashed over Israel's retaliatory military offensive against Hamas following the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

With reporting by Latin Times and AFP.